Nursing Elites

1. A 3-month-old infant has been hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). What is the priority intervention?

• A. Administering an antiviral agent
• B. Clustering care to conserve energy
• C. Offering oral fluids to promote hydration
• D. Providing an antitussive agent when necessary

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority intervention for a 3-month-old infant hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is clustering care to conserve energy. Infants with RSV often struggle to breathe and require rest periods to recover. Clustering care involves organizing nursing activities to allow for rest intervals, reducing the infant's energy expenditure and aiding recovery. Administering antiviral agents is not the primary intervention for RSV since it is a viral infection, and antiviral medications may not be effective against RSV. While offering oral fluids is crucial for hydration, it may not be the priority when the infant is having respiratory difficulties. Providing an antitussive agent when necessary can help with coughing but is not the priority intervention for managing RSV in this scenario.

2. A child with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is admitted to the hospital with a vaso-occlusive crisis. What is the most important nursing intervention?

• A. Administering oxygen
• B. Administering pain medication
• C. Monitoring fluid intake
• D. Encouraging physical activity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia, the priority nursing intervention is administering pain medication. Pain management is crucial to alleviate the intense pain experienced by the child. While administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation, it is not the most critical intervention during a vaso-occlusive crisis. Monitoring fluid intake is important for overall care but is not the immediate priority during a crisis. Encouraging physical activity is contraindicated during a vaso-occlusive crisis as it can worsen the pain and the crisis itself.

3. A parent tells the nurse in the emergency department, 'My 3-year-old has had a fever for several days and has been vomiting.' After instituting ordered measures to reduce the fever, what nursing action is most important?

• A. Preventing shivering
• B. Restricting oral fluids
• C. Measuring output hourly
• D. Taking vital signs hourly

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Preventing shivering is crucial in this scenario as it can increase body temperature and counteract the effects of antipyretic measures aimed at reducing the fever. Shivering generates heat through muscle activity, which can elevate the body temperature. Restricting oral fluids (choice B) is inappropriate as maintaining hydration is vital, especially in cases of fever and vomiting. Measuring output hourly (choice C) and taking vital signs hourly (choice D) are important nursing actions but not the most critical in this case where preventing shivering takes precedence.

4. A child is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. What is the priority need that must be included in the nursing plan of care for this child?

• A. Rest
• B. Exercise
• C. Nutrition
• D. Elimination

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Rest. When a child is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, the priority need in the nursing plan of care is to ensure adequate rest for the child. Rest is crucial as it allows the child's body to fight the infection and recover. Choice B, Exercise, is incorrect as strenuous physical activity may further strain the child's respiratory system. Choice C, Nutrition, is important but providing rest takes precedence initially. Choice D, Elimination, is not the priority concern in this scenario compared to ensuring rest for recovery from pneumonia.

5. While assessing an 18-month-old child, a nurse observes that the toddler can crawl upstairs but needs assistance when climbing the stairs upright. What does this action indicate to the nurse?

• A. Presence of talipes equinovarus
• B. Reflective of neurologic damage
• C. Expected behavior in a toddler of this age
• D. Existence of developmental dysplasia of the hip

Correct answer: C

Rationale: At 18 months of age, needing assistance to climb stairs upright is considered normal behavior for a toddler. Crawling upstairs is a different motor skill and does not necessarily correlate with the ability to climb stairs. The child is still developing gross motor skills, and climbing stairs upright typically requires more coordination and strength, which may not be fully developed at this age. Choices A, B, and D are not relevant in this scenario as the observed behavior is within the expected range of development for an 18-month-old child.

Similar Questions